Concertgoers in Auckland discuss the tight security around Ariana Grande's performance at the Spark Arena
Ariana Grande has spoken to Kiwi fans at her Auckland concert, telling them how much she loves sheep and wants to move to New Zealand.
"I've wanted to come see you guys for so long, so thank you for welcoming me. There are so many sheep here ... I loveit here ... I'm moving here," she said.
That was the only time she spoke to the crowd, otherwise preferring to plough on with her world tour at full throttle.
Kiwi fans flocked to Spark Arena to see the Dangerous Woman hitmaker, wearing Grande's signature bunny ears and screaming with excitement as a video counted down to her arrival on stage.
There was a strict security check on entry but that seemed to be the only sign that anything had gone wrong at Manchester earlier this year.
Grande didn't speak about the bombing, which killed 23 people including the attacker, instead she simply launched into hit after hit tonight: Be Alright, Everyday, Bad Decisions, One Last Time and more, without slowing down.
She hit every single high note and nailed every single trick and run flawlessly, all the while somehow dancing as hard as her dancers, and yelling at the Auckland crowd to sing along with her.
It has been a fully fledged spectacle of lights, lasers, smoke and video art, which showed imagery and words depicting what it means to be female - strong, soft, sexy, "not asking for it" - and what it means to love - including same sex couples - but Grande's pitch-perfect and incredibly powerful vocals are the star of the show, unfailing and perhaps unparalleled in today's pop arena.
Her hits with rapper Nicki Minaj were undoubted highlights of the night, particularly Side to Side, during which Ariana and her dancers rode exercycles and trained with battle ropes and a heavy bag while performing.
But it was the slow, stripped-back songs that made Grande shine: I Don't Care, Leave Me Lonely and especially Moonlight showed the incredible vocal talent of this artist, as her voice rang out crystal clear whether it was soft and low or belting out.
But the absolute stand-out moment was when Grande performed her cover of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, which she performed at her One Love Manchester concert until she was brought to tears and unable to continue. This time, she performed it perfectly, with the One Love Manchester symbol in the background behind her.
The security:
One Love Manchester was a benefit concert held for the victims of a bombing attack, in which a homemade bomb was detonated as people were leaving Grande's show.
Potentially in answer to that, fans making their way in to the concert in Auckland tonight were delayed due to new strict security measures. Concertgoers were told to leave all bags at home, with security at the venue handing out clear plastic bags for fans to put their belongings in.
Spark Arena updated fans about the security measures this week via its Facebook page.
"There will be no coat check for you to leave your bags at so please leave all clutches, small purses, big purses, handbags, backpacks, and any bags you may have at home," they wrote.
They also added that no cameras would be allowed, although phones are fine, and that security checks would include security wanding and/or pat downs. The resulting delays saw about 100 people still waiting to enter the arena at 7.30pm - when the concert was meant to begin.
Spark Arena have not specifically said the increased measures were in response to Manchester, but the Arena's general policy usually permits bags and non-professional cameras into the venue.
Fans waiting outside Spark Arena for the big Ariana Show tonight. Photo / Ophelia Buckleton
The fans:
Diehard fans Phoenix Tuhura-Thompson, 16, and Matia Tuhura-Paul, 13, said they were excited about the concert and could understand the no bags allowed rule.
"I think it's good. It's good to have good security. Especially because of the bombing," said Matia.
"She [Grande] wants to take all precautions to keep us safe," said Phoenix.
Phoenix Tuhura-Thompson, 16, and Matia Tuhura-Paul, 13, waiting to get into the Ariana Grande concert at Spark Arena. Photo / Ophelia Buckleton
Some people wore T-shirts saying "one love Manchester".
Mae Smith, 20, and her friend Tonisha Parata, 19, held a "One Love Manchester" jersey.
The girls said they were very excited for the concert but the incident in Manchester earlier this year did make them think twice about attending the Auckland concert.
Smith, who is originally from Manchester, said she understood the bombing was an overseas issue but it did worry her when she went to book tickets for tonight's show.
"I think it's a good security measure. She [Grande] probably doesn't want anything like that to happen again," said Parata.
The doors opened just after 6:30pm as an announcement came over the loudspeaker asking concertgoers to have their clear plastic bags, holding belongings such as phones and wallets, ready to show to security.
